Monday, February 19, 2007

In 1763 the British began bringing settlers to the Garifuna islands. They would destroy Garifuna homes, and run cattle across their farms. This started up a prolonged war, culminating in 1795.

Eventually the Garifuna surrendered and were left to the mercy of the British. In July, 5,080 Kalinagos were loaded into ships for expulsion to Roatan, in Honduras. By the time they were finally deported only 2,026 remained alive, to arrive at a place called Punta Gorda...now a part of Belize. Belize has 12,000Garifuna, mainly living in Dangriga, Punta Gorda, Seine Bight and Hopkins.